Conservation tillage encourages early breeding by skylarks Alauda arvensis

Published source details Field R.H., Kirby W.B. & Bradbury R.B. (2007) Conservation tillage encourages early breeding by skylarks Alauda arvensis. Bird Study, 54, 137-141.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Reduce tillage Action Link
	Reduce tillage Action Link

Reduce tillage

A small replicated, randomised, controlled study from April-July 2005 in two experimental and two control fields of winter wheat in Rutland, England (Field et al. 2007), found that Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis nest density was higher in fields managed through conservation tillage than control fields that were ploughed, with 24 of 32 nests found in conservation tillage fields. Average laying date was also significantly earlier on conservation tillage fields by 25 days. The authors suggest the effect was due to conservation tillage fields containing more crop residue than control fields (32% residue compared to none). Foraging distance of provisioning adult skylarks was 50% lower on conservation tillage fields (48 m vs. 93 m). However, nest success and nestling size were similar in both field types. Control fields were sown with winter wheat after mould-board ploughing, while conservation tillage fields were direct drilled into oil-seed rape residue after light rotary harrow.
Reduce tillage

A small replicated, randomized, controlled study from April-July 2005 in two experimental and two control fields of winter wheat in Rutland, England (Field et al. 2007b) found that Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis nest density was higher in fields managed through conservation tillage than fields that were ploughed (24 out of 32 nests in conservation tillage fields). Average laying date was also significantly earlier on conservation tillage fields by 25 days. The authors suggest the effect was due to conservation tillage fields containing more crop residue than ploughed fields (32% compared to 0% residue respectively). Foraging distance of adult skylarks providing food for nestlings was halved on conservation tillage fields (48 m vs 93 m). However, nest success and nestling size were similar in both field types. Control fields were sown with winter wheat after mould-board ploughing, while conservation tillage fields were direct drilled into oilseed rape residue after light rotary harrow.